To: Florida needs new laws to protect Mobile Home Park Residents, Chapter 723 isn't enough!!!
Protect Florida Mobile Home Park Residents from Unfairly Spiked Rent Increases
Mobile home parks are unique communities where residents own their homes but rent the land beneath them. The value of these parks is intrinsically linked to the residents' ability to pay lot rents. When investors acquire these parks at premium prices, they often offset their investment by increasing lot rents, placing a significant financial burden on residents, many of whom are seniors or individuals on fixed incomes.
This practice not only threatens the affordability and stability of our communities but also raises ethical questions about the commodification of essential housing. I urge you to consider the following actions to protect mobile home park residents:
1. Implement Rent Stabilization Measures: Establish guidelines to prevent excessive lot rent increases that outpace inflation and residents' income growth.
2. Right of First Refusal: Enact legislation that grants residents the opportunity to purchase the park before it is sold to outside investors. There needs to be price discussions with regard to a fair price as the residents are directly involved in the value of the park. It should be based on a value with lot rent in place and not the park value because of value perceived when lot rents raise substantially.
It is a complicated process but right now it is putting the owners of the mobile homes in a financial situation that they didn’t control. A fair increase can be justified but when the new owners raise it 75% it is a form of price gouging that has not been documented in our systems yet..
3. Resident-Owned Communities: Provide financial and technical assistance to residents seeking to form cooperatives and purchase their parks collectively. We need more financial options for Resident Owned Communities (ROC) to get funds quickly and affordably. This is an investment in affordable housing for Florida. This can save money for Florida as the housing is already there and won’t need to be build. Otherwise these parks are becoming high end, vacation spots for higher income Snowbirds.
These measures would empower residents, preserve affordable housing options, and maintain the integrity of our communities. I respectfully request your support in introducing and advocating for legislation that addresses these concerns.
Thank you for your attention to this critical issue affecting many Floridians.
Why is this important?
Many Mobile Home Parks in Florida are being sold at inflated prices. Why are investors offering such high prices. It is to keep residents from buying the park as a group. Buying the park is the goal. Once the park is bought and homeowners are clueless as to what may happen next. The park buyers now have the residents under their control. They set lot rent prices and the residents can not do anything about it. Many times these lot rent increases are 50% - 100% increases. With this kind of increase residents find themselves unable to afford the home they worked so hard to get. The price of the homes to sell is now down a lot. This is the lucky case scenario. Many times these residents get a notice to vacate and these homes are not really mobile. Many have been in that spot for decades.
The sad part is that because these people have purchased the home and are paying lot rent is why the property is so valuable. When the new owners take over they have instant cash coming in. They wont have to worry if a residents air conditioning goes out, that is on the owner of the mobile home and not the owner of the land.
This has to stop or we will have so many homeless seniors, vets and families because they cannot afford to live where they had planned. Many who thought they were living an affordable retirement and proud to do so. They now feel doomed and must seek help from the government to get into affordable housing and it just isn't there.
Why is nothing being done. We need better laws. Chapter 723 is way too weak for todays situations.
The sad part is that because these people have purchased the home and are paying lot rent is why the property is so valuable. When the new owners take over they have instant cash coming in. They wont have to worry if a residents air conditioning goes out, that is on the owner of the mobile home and not the owner of the land.
This has to stop or we will have so many homeless seniors, vets and families because they cannot afford to live where they had planned. Many who thought they were living an affordable retirement and proud to do so. They now feel doomed and must seek help from the government to get into affordable housing and it just isn't there.
Why is nothing being done. We need better laws. Chapter 723 is way too weak for todays situations.
There are greedy people out there. Investors are being told that "A mobile home park is the best investment, you can control these people because they bought the house and cannot afford to leave so they will pay whatever you charge."
How it will be delivered
Youtube video and through some facebook groups directed at mobile home parks.